The Demon in the Freezer, Richard Preston takes us into the heart of Usamriid,
the United States Army Medical. Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort
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CCS Honors Biology Summer Reading Assignment Choose ONE book, READ it, and complete the following assignments. The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston Synopsis: The first major bioterrorist event in the United States-the anthrax attacks in October 2001-was a clarion call for scientists who work with “hot” agents to find ways of protecting civilian populations against biological weapons. In The Demon in the Freezer, Richard Preston takes us into the heart of Usamriid, the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland, once the headquarters of the U.S. biological weapons program and now the epicenter of national biodefense. Peter Jahrling, the top scientist at Usamriid, a wry virologist who cut his teeth on Ebola, one of the world’s most lethal emerging viruses, has ORCON security clearance that gives him access to top secret information on bioweapons. His most urgent priority is to develop a drug that will take on smallpox-and win.
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston Synopsis: The virus kills nine out of ten of its victims. Its effects are so quick and so gruesome that even biohazard experts are terrified. It is airborne, it is extremely contagious, and it is about to burn through the suburbs of Washington, D.C. Is there any way to stop it? This doomsday scenario confronted a biohazard SWAT team struggling in secret to stop the outbreak of an exotic "hot" virus at an Army research facility outside Washington. "The Hot Zone" tells the dramatic story of their dangerous race against time, along with an alarming account of how previously unknown viruses that have lived undetected in the rain forest for eons are now entering human populations.
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Synopsis: In 1960, a woman noticed the birds had stopped singing and their population had severely decreased in her neighborhood. She summoned a friend, biologist/writer Rachel Carson, to investigate this wildlife mystery. Subsequently, in 1962, Rachel’s discoveries and efforts were brought to the forefront in her book, Silent Spring, which revealed the atrocities of pesticide poisoning. The over-spaying of DDT, dieldrin and other pest killers was poisoning the entire world of living things, humanity included. Rachel's work not only left chemical companies casting about trying to discredit her findings, but, most importantly, prompted an enormous environmental movement which continues today.
Flu: The Story of Great Influenza Pandemic by Gina Kolata Synopsis: When we think of plagues, we think of AIDS, Ebola, anthrax spores, and, of course, the Black Death. But in 1918 the Great Flu Epidemic killed an estimated 40 million people virtually overnight. If such a plague returned today, taking a comparable percentage of the U.S. population with it, 1.5 million Americans would die. In Flu, Gina Kolata, unravels the mystery of this lethal virus with the high drama of a great adventure story. From Alaska to Norway, from the streets of Hong Kong to the corridors of the White House, Kolata tracks the race to recover the live pathogen and probes the fear that has impelled government policy.
Double Helix by Nancy Werlin Synopsis: It is the end of his senior year. Eli Samuels is a bright student, salutatorian in his class. But he isn't going to college the next September. He wants to take a year off. He and his father have been arguing. College is one more thing to argue about. Eli wants to earn the money for school. The family's finances have been devastated by Mrs. Samuels' illness. She is in a nursing home, dying of Huntington's disease. Eli gets a job at Wyatt Transgenics. For some reason he has impressed Dr. Quincy Wyatt, one of the world's geniuses in genetics. Eli is excited to be working with Dr. Wyatt. But his father is angry. There is some secret in Eli's family's past. Dr. Wyatt, Mr. Samuels, and Mrs. Samuels had connections when the couples were in graduate school. Eli is only now realizing that something had happened before he was born. Dr. Wyatt bears no animosity. Mr. Samuels hates Dr. Wyatt. Eli finds himself caught between the two men.
Summer Reading Assignments: 1. Summer Reading Journal: After each chapter write a brief Journal entry for that chapter. Each journal entry should include the following: Date you read the chapter: List of the main characters and what is happening to them in that chapter: List and definition of new words: Brief plot summary: Be sure to include how science or technology is playing a role in the plot of the book. The Summer Reading Journal will be collected on the first day of class. Please email your reading journal to me if completed before the beginning of school.
2. Compare the novel to current events: Find and report out on three current events that relate to the topic in your book. One current event must be a local/regional event (where you live), one must be national current event (your nation), and the third must be a global current event (a current event relating to your topic that has global implications). You may use live broadcasts, online articles, and print media. In the fall you will present your three current events to the class as well as describe how they relate to the novel you read. Your presentation should be about 5 to 7 minutes. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Cola via email Email:
[email protected]
